News Releases

Providence defeats St. Boniface in 4 sets

After facing a tough week in training for their performance last week, the Freemen volleyball squad was looking for an impressive performance against the visiting St. Boniface squad. And, whether their performance was a sign of things to come or was simply a result of the fear of what would lie ahead if they lost, Freemen coach Jason Peters’ message was clearly received by his squad as they stepped up their play in front of a packed home gym, and earned a thrilling 4-set victory, 25-21, 20-25, 25-20, and 25-23.

“We played a solid match on Friday night,” coach Peters commented. “While we were far from our best, we played with improved intensity and focus, particularly later in the match.”

St. Boniface was able to find their footing first in the game as they jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, and then expanded that to a 6-2 lead. However, the Freemen started to wake up, and mounted a 5-1 run to catch up to the Voyageurs at 7. The two sides then battled out a tight set that featured huge kills from both Voyageur star Roger Turenne and Freemen sophomore Josh Friesen. In the end it was the Freemen who were able to pull away, as Dallen Klassen (12 kills, 16 digs) spiked a bullet at an unsuspecting Voyageurs defense to take the set 25-21.

The second set then saw the Voyageurs jump out to yet another early lead, as they started on a 5-0 run, then continued that on to a 16-8 lead. This time a coordinated St. Boniface side proved too much for the Freemen’s comeback attempt, and the Voyageurs eventually took the set 25-20 on a questionable Freemen net violation. In the third set the Freemen were finally able to find their footing coming out of the gates, and the two sides matched each other almost point for point until they were deadlocked at 14. However freshman Delmer Krahn (10 kills) decided he had seen enough at that point as he unleashed a rocket of a kill that roofed the helpless Voyageurs defense and brought the Freemen crowd to its feet. The kill served as a momentum builder, and Providence finished the set 25-20 off of a Kevin Hildebrand block.

The Freemen then entered the final set hoping not to allow for any thoughts of a comeback from an always persistent Voyageurs side. The two sides played yet another tight set, as they stayed within two points of one another all the way until the 18th point. Sophomore BJ Harder then got subbed in for the serve, and led the Freemen to a 22-19 lead. The Freemen then finished the Voyageurs off a Josh Friesen kill as they took the set and match with a 25-23 score.

Coach Peters was especially impressed by captain Paul Warkentine’s inspired play, and hopes that the team can use this game as a stepping stone as they head into the difficult end of the season.

“Paul made great decisions and ran an effective offence and we made plays when we had to most,” Coach Peters said. “We are continuing to build towards our first league play which is coming up in mid-February in the States.”

Notes: Freshman Bryton Arnal was still inactive due to an ankle injury…the Freemen next play Wednesday when they travel to Winnipeg to play CMU.